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Hi all, I’ve been mountain biking (mainly xc and red route trails) for about 12 years on and off, had 3 years out brought a second hand full suspension last year but sold it due to the pandemic. Anyway I’ve just purchased a new bike to get back in to it when permitted. Due to most bikes being out of stock every where and I couldn’t find a decent second hand one I liked for my budget I opted for a trek marlin 7 (£700-£800 was my top end budget currently) This will be my first trek bike, spec wise seems pretty good for a £700 bike, only limitations I can see me having are the fork. Will be fine for abit whilst get my fitness back upto scratch but Will defo give up eventually as I go harder and I plan on keeping this bike until it completely dies of death even if I buy a second bike in future.
Regarding fork (and I’ve seen lots of mixed reviews on line) would it make that much of a difference to go from the stock 100mm travel fork to a 120mm air shock? I’ll use bike for red route trail riding eventually with lots of drops steps, climbs, descents etc defo won’t be attempting black routes or jumps. Or would it be better to upgrade to 100mm air fork when needed to keep geometry the same as trek intended? Thanks
I wouldn't change the fork. Ride the bike more, get fitter and better at riding. Then upgrade the whole bike. Something with lighter wheels and just lighter overall.
If it was my bike Id buy a dropper post before anything else.
If you have to change the fork, dont make it longer as it will slacken the bike off and that could be detrimental to the way its been designed. 100mm is fine for trail riding and XC stuff, a more expensive fork should be lighter and give you proper damping control, which will make it handle much better. It wont make it do bigger drops and jumps, that's technique which you can learn or pay for a skills course to learn.
I’d stick a 120mm air fork on that no trouble. It’ll slightly slacken the head angle and seat angle but you’ll survive. It’ll probably make it better on the downhill stuff.
For your planned usage I’d say the Marlin wasn’t the ideal option as it’s pretty old school XC geometry - but as you say - stock of stuff is limited right now.
I wouldn’t go mental on the cost of the fork upgrade as you’ve got a non-boost frame there with a very slack seat angle / quite short reach / quite steep headangle etc. Maybe a Suntour Epixon / Rockshox Recon Gold RL / secondhand Rockshox Revelation - something with 32mm alloy stanchions.
The only issue you might have is if the frame has a straight 1 1/8th head tube - lots of forks won’t fit with tapered steerers if that’s the case. Also most decent forks have a 15x110 or 15x100 front axle. Your current fork has a 9mm qr one so you’ll probably need a new front wheel too.
Dropper is ordered already and on way ordered that before bike arrived. I’ve got no intention of attempting big drops and jumps just I know few trails I go to do have a lot of drops etc which I know is more skill. At the moment I’m not the most technical of riders just enjoy keeping fit and riding the trails. And Yes that’s the main thing I didn’t like about it was the qr axles rather then thru axle With boost which I was used to before but with lack of choice at the moment I got the best bike for money I could that was in stock. tbh I arnt planning on getting rid of this bike, I quite like it but yet to try on a trail, maybe In a a year or 2 once fitter I’d get a decent full sus with upgraded forks and boost etc, but I’d still keep this bike as a second as I do love a hardtail. Was more just wanting see if could go up to 120mm travel if this fork decides break and I wanted to upgrade it to a better air fork. I’ll see how it goes and just enjoy this bike how is for now and see how it goes. Cheers though
I'd at least ride it and see, as you say.
+20mm isn't a huge difference, but wait and see how it works for you rather than look for problems/spend I. The future
Agreed mate, was only questioning regarding fork as my last bike (a vitus mythique) had 140mm air suspension front but was more of a trail bike then the marlin is but was probably a waste of a bike for current fitness / riding style. I’ll fit the dropper and leave as is and just get used to riding again properly before making any decisions